Falling bricks force tower evacuation

Updated 8:00 am, Wednesday, April 27, 2011

ALBANY -- Hundreds of bricks fell several stories off the South Mall Tower just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, causing dozens of fearful residents to evacuate the high-rise apartment building for hours and at least one street to close, Albany fire department officials said.

A portion of a brick veneer built on the building's exterior elevator shaft at 99 S. Pearl St., collapsed and fell five or six stories at around 5:30 p.m., Deputy Chief Frank Nerney of the Albany Fire Department said. No injuries were reported.

"Fortunately, it fell with no one underneath it," Nerney said. The cause of the collapse was being investigated. he said.

The building contains a couple of hundred residents, including many seniors, fire officials said. Some left the building while the city engineer and firefighters inspected the building's structure. It was found to be in good condition, Nerney said.

The building is owned by a private company, he said. The owners were instructed to do repairs and inspect the building's facade, Nerney said. The falling bricks caused fire officials to close Hamilton Street from Grand to Pearl streets.